This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Faith lies in
The ways of sin
Chased the charmed
But I don't want them anymore
And in their eyes I was alive
Fool's disguise
Take me away from you
Shame my tongue
Fat with promise all along
When I woke up from that sleep
I was happier than I'd ever been
When you decide
That your life is a prize
Renew, revive
It's alright honey
It's alright, yeah
Happiness will make you wonder
Will I feel OK?
It scares the disenchanted
Far away
Yeah, I want something new
But what am I supposed to do about you
Yeah, I love you, it's true
Life's a bummer
When you're a hummer
Life's a drag
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Do you feel
Love is real
The ways of sin
Chased the charmed
But I don't want them anymore
And in their eyes I was alive
Fool's disguise
Take me away from you
Shame my tongue
Fat with promise all along
When I woke up from that sleep
I was happier than I'd ever been
When you decide
That your life is a prize
Renew, revive
It's alright honey
It's alright, yeah
Happiness will make you wonder
Will I feel OK?
It scares the disenchanted
Far away
Yeah, I want something new
But what am I supposed to do about you
Yeah, I love you, it's true
Life's a bummer
When you're a hummer
Life's a drag
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Do you feel
Love is real
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I'm probably off, but Billy's quote might have to do with that in spiritual growth, you need pain. And if you don't have any pain in your life, there's no point.